Ch.297The Acknowledging Imperial Princess NPC. (4)

“Your Highness, I have a report. Everyone who was in the Marquis’s mansion…”

Marquis. And the castle’s maids, servants, and butlers. I received a report that they all seemed to have fled behind the territory before I destroyed the castle. Well, even if they escaped in that direction, they would only end up in Helgot territory where the Dean is.

“…so, we tracked them with the personnel who could move. But it…”

Before attacking us, it seems the priests chased after them. And all 40 fugitives, including the Marquis, were found dead. They say the remaining priests who killed them couldn’t be located.

“I see, thank you for checking. And what about Mac?”

“Well, about that.”

In response to my question about Mac’s condition—who had a hole in his stomach—Dolph scratched between his eyebrows with a slightly bitter expression. Huh? When I last saw him, he wasn’t exactly at death’s door, so why the atmosphere?

“…The potion use and treatment weren’t delayed, so his life isn’t in danger, but…”

“Really? That’s good news, I think, but why? Is there something unsettling?”

“Well, that’s—”

-Knock knock knock!

What cut off Dolph’s words was someone knocking at the door. I tilted my head and asked who it was.

“My lord. It’s Mac. May I come in?”

“…Uh, yes? Huh? Um. C-come in?”

I was flustered by Mac’s voice—who should have been taken to the hospital—but I let him in anyway. Wait, what? Why is he walking around? Didn’t he have a hole in his stomach? Didn’t his hand get torn off? Huh?!!

“Thanks to my lord’s precise and swift action, I’m completely healed! From now on, I’ll resume my duty as your guard…!!”

“No, no. How is that possible?! You were stabbed just last night?! There was a hole in your abdomen the size of my forearm!!”

I remember it being close to a miracle that he even survived. It hasn’t even been a day and he’s walking around? Saying he’ll guard me?! How?! Don’t tell me you’re some kind of saint-like being too?!

“…Well, you could say I was lucky. Among the revolutionary members, there were some talented in recovery magic. They said the potion you gave me was extremely helpful. So…”

As I looked back and forth between Mac and Dolph in confusion, he explained that Mac had jumped out of the hospital as soon as he woke up this morning, claiming he was fine and could move now. Oh, was the potion Jack gave me for emergencies that effective? He did mention it was made from some monster materials. Could it really have been that good?!

“My lord. Thank you for saving me.”

“Ah, no…”

It wasn’t me who saved you, it was you.

If this man hadn’t blocked the surprise attack from the saint, my face would have been more than bloodied—it would have been blown open, and I’d have bid farewell to this world. Anyone would think he saved me, yet Mac is going on about how his life was saved by his lord and next time he’ll… Ha, haha!!

“Puhah!!”

“Y-Your Highness?”

“I will protect you perfectly… Eh, d-did I say something strange?”

When I burst into laughter without realizing it, both Dolph and Mac looked at me with bewilderment, but ah, I can’t help it, he’s too funny…!!

“Kukukuk. Ah, that’s hilarious! It’s fine. Don’t stand on ceremony. As I said yesterday, I have no intention of returning to the imperial family. I’ve decided to marry my love and live as a commoner for the rest of my life, surrounded by people I care about. The only reason I’m here now is because ‘the current empire is an obstacle to our group.’ That’s all.”

“…So indeed. You have no intention of becoming the Empress.”

“Empress, huh. If someone who isn’t recognized by the Emperor becomes the next ruler, it’s essentially a coup, right? Honestly, I don’t want to deal with the nobles’ backlash or the political turbulence of the empire afterward.”

“…My lord.”

“So, from now on, both of you are forbidden from calling me ‘my lord.’ Just call me Ragni. I lost the name Ortman to my master.”

“!!!”

When I said this with a smile, both of them blushed, looked at each other, and then back at me. Huh? Why? Oh!

“…Um, well.”

“W-when you told us to spread rumors, I had my suspicions, but to think it was actually true…”

“I can guess what you’re thinking, but I’m still a virgin, you know? That’s not what I meant by losing my name. Don’t misunderstand. Though I do think I wouldn’t mind ‘losing everything’ to Jack~”

“*Cough!! Cough?!!*”

When I mentioned being a virgin, both of them choked as if something went down the wrong pipe. I smiled cheerfully at them, and after clearing their throats, they spoke again.

“Ahem! W-well then. From now on, I’ll call you Lady Ragni. Of course, since we still have operations to complete, I’ll continue to call you Your Highness in front of others.”

“I-I too… would like to call you that…”

“Hmm. That’s fine, but I wonder if we’ll even be able to move on to the next operation?”

“Pardon?”

The Marquis’s forces—I had them called imperial forces yesterday—after dealing with the urgent threat of the tentacles, they were watching me cautiously. I didn’t sense fear, but my long experience didn’t miss that they were looking at me as if I were something alien. If veterans who have faced monsters and demon followers felt that way, then to ordinary citizens, I must be nothing short of terrifying.

“…About that.”

“Hmm. It seems there are things you don’t know, my lo… Lady Ragni.”

“Huh? Me?”

I certainly didn’t know much about my [Skills] until yesterday, but I never expected to hear such words from Mac. Now it was my turn to be surprised with wide eyes.

Then, Mac smiled at me and said, “Would you like to go outside?” as he opened the door to guide me. I expressed that I was tired from yesterday’s battle and didn’t want to go out, but when even Dolph suggested we take a 20-minute walk for fresh air, I reluctantly moved my feet.

So, as we left the back alley building and started walking along the main street with my hood up…

“…Oh! It’s you!”

“Huh?”

A commoner who was setting up a fruit stand despite yesterday’s events raised his voice suddenly when our eyes met. Huh? Did he recognize me even with my hood on?

“I-it’s Her Highness the Princess!!!”

“What?!”

Though I had hidden my hair well under the hood, somehow the commoner recognized me and shouted, causing all the citizens preparing for the day to look in our direction and gradually approach. Huh? Wait, I’m going to be surrounded at this rate? Hey, Dolph, Mac, where are you going! Weren’t you supposed to guard me…?!

“Your Highness!! Thank you for driving out the Marquis!!!”

“Huh?”

The fruit vendor who recognized me suddenly shouted and began hastily stuffing fruits into a bag. Huh? What, what’s going on?

“Here!! I-it’s not much, but it’s my sincere offering!! My friend was one of the soldiers who had been suffering from the Marquis’s tyranny recently!! But yesterday, Her Highness stopped them and drove out those church bastards too! Even though he was injured, he was incredibly grateful!!!”

“Me too!! My husband was also drafted into the army, but I heard he refused conscription until the end and was imprisoned in the guard’s jail, but he was able to get out today!! He was badly injured, but thanks to the potion Your Highness provided, he’s now resting comfortably at home!!!”

“Yesterday, yesterday my son told me excitedly about Your Highness’s brave appearance!! Thank you!! You fought for us, didn’t you?!!”

“Thank you!! For avenging my daughter who was taken by the Marquis…!! Thank you!!!”

“W-wait…!”

While I was flustered by the citizens suddenly surrounding me and expressing their gratitude while sharing their circumstances, I spotted two men grinning mischievously among the crowd.

You, you guys, what are you going to do about this?! Stop these people!! What am I supposed to do with this…!!!

“Your Highness!! Please save this empire and stop the war!! All the imported goods are blocked, and we can’t trade!! Please!!!”

“M-my daughter is in Natie!! I hope we don’t go to war with Natie!! Since Your Highness is here, there’s no justification for it, right?! Please!!!”

“I have children working as merchants in Aigram!! I think this war is strange!! After hearing what you said in front of us yesterday, I thought no one but Your Highness would listen to us!! Though insignificant, we support you!! Please help us!!!”

“Thank you!!!”

“Please help us!!!”

“W-wait a moment…!! I, I am?!!”

As people offered gifts of gratitude like fruits and food—almost like bribes—asking me to stop the war, hoping for drafted sons to return, wishing not to fight with certain countries, and even someone saying they’d tell minstrels to make songs about my fighting, I became so flustered my eyes started spinning. Finally, Mac and Dolph approached me again and raised their voices.

“Everyone, please step back!! We have something to say on behalf of Her Highness!!!”

“Her Highness believes that this empire’s war is unjust! Therefore, she will surely fulfill what you all wish for!! From now on, she will act with the revolutionary group, the citizens, and those who have defected from the imperial army to stop the empire’s tyranny!! So citizens!! Please support Her Highness!!!”

“Uh, ah?”

Mac took the armful of items that had somehow accumulated in my arms, and as if it had been planned, Dolph appealed to the citizens for support, causing everyone to cheer loudly. W-wait a minute! I…!!!

“The blue light that pierced through the Marquis’s castle yesterday!! It was the force of our empire’s blue wisdom used for the citizens!!! Everyone! Were you afraid of it?!!”

“No!!!”

“If you all believe in and support Her Highness! Our lord, the Princess, will surely wield her power for you in the future as well!! Everyone! Will you trust Her Highness?!”

“Long live Princess!! Long live the empire’s blue wisdom!! No!! Long live the ‘Blue Light’!!!”

“Long live the Blue Light!!! Long live Princess!!!”

“Ugh?!!”

It was the propaganda technique I had instructed them to use, but I never expected them to deliberately wield it in front of me. Dolph now started leading cheers without saying anything else, and the citizens followed, calling me the Blue Light and beginning to chant, gradually filling the main street. And Mac’s eyes, watching this beside me, seemed to ask, ‘Do you still think the citizens fear you?’ Eek!! These guys!!!

“Alright!! As a member of this country’s imperial family!! As long as you support me, I will use all my power to stop the war and change the current empire!!! So! P-please help me too!!!”

“Hurraaaaah!!!!”

“—?!!!”

Thinking it would be embarrassing to keep being flustered, I shouted as sincerely as I could, only to have my voice drowned out by cheers so loud I thought my eardrums would burst. However.

‘…I never thought being desired like this would make me so happy.’

I had thought it would be enough if Jack and our group didn’t see me as a monster. Apparently, I was a woman with a lot of greed after all.

The tears that slightly formed in the corners of my eyes were definitely because my ears hurt—that’s what I later explained to Mac and Dolph.

*

The previous evening. On a plain between the Empire and Ponia.

-KWAAANG!!!

“…Huh? Wait, that…!!!”

As the gray-haired man sent all the living dolls before him flying with a single swing of his fist, he gaped at the blue light illuminating the night sky.

“Eh? EH?! Why?! Ra-Ragni Beam pattern?!! That’s the instant-kill attack used in raids?! Wait, seriously? No way, right? We’re screwed?!”

Jack, seeing the pattern known in the game as the Queen’s Beam or Energy Wave, broke into a cold sweat, wondering if his woman had awakened as a raid boss—completely unaware that she was actually happy.